Best Audio for Retro Setups: The Pioneer SA-730 & TX-530 from 1982

[@RetroTechUSA]

I know these topics are slightly different than my normal CRT stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@davidegalliussi1979]

Merry Christmas ☺️

[@t.t.9795]

Hello. I bought factory sealed ViewSonic G70FB CRT monitor and its out of focus out of the box. I did full re-cap, but that didn't help. Can you please fix it if I ship it to you. Thanks.

[@ToploadedGaming]

Getting a stand alone video on this was great!

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks!

[@EvertvanIngen]

This shows that Steve MUST make videos about restoring old tech or else he goes insane. Love your work man, got me into servicing peoples CRT's

[@RetroTechUSA]

Haha, Thanks man!

[@113odyssey]

The middle aged receivers are super useful as well! I picked up a Denon AVR-1907 with speakers and a sub for 30 bucks this week! I love it cause it has 3 component ins and 1 component out as well so I route all consoles with RGB / component hookups as well and I can even label the inputs by the game console and set it's default audio channels. It's fun to score this stuff that would of costed us hundreds if not thousands back in the day and put it to good use!

[@Darkbeatdk]

I found an old 80s Phillips amplifier a couple of years ago that I’ve been using for my PVM setup. That single mono speaker in the PVM just didn’t cut it so this was definitely an upgrade. The first game I played on it was Gleylancer and when the bass-drum in the intro kicked in, I was blown away. I was never much of a sound guy, because I always just assumed that people used amps to play things louder, but this was a real ear-opener!

[@RetroTechUSA]

The mono speaker is pretty lame. It makes a huge difference to just upgrade to a decent stereo setup.

[@cesarb94]

It's incredible the difference that a good audio setup makes for the gaming experience. I have a TA-170F amp connected to a pair of JBL control one speakers and the sound quality is just amazing.

[@hhectorlector]

cool background music. good balance between it and your voice. I also liked that you turned it off in that direct talk section. nice touch!

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks Hector! I appreciate your feedback tremendously

[@fareedaramdial7000]

as a student i purchased this in 83...still got it ..it was superb at that time listening to volumes that the neighbours will compail about ..i blew akai and sony speakers with this set when i turned volume to 7 0r 8....it had crystal clear sound as expexted fomm ppioneer...i used this and double hooked it with my jvc home 5.1 100 watt and using both together i ussed to blow the neighbourhood.it is a good powerful amp for listening to rock music...i got it in my garage now and wont part with it...the slide volume can become an issue but philips contact spray used to sort it out...it will still blow any home theatre system away.

[@Charlie-Cat.]

I love Pioneer Steve. All my cars have a Pioneer system and never fails to amaze me on the audio that they offer for great sound. Awesome to see this from you bro. 8^) Anthony..

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks Anthony. Yeah, Pioneer has remained pretty consistent as a top-quality brand in audio. Hope you have a great holidays buddy.

[@itsdavestone]

I absolutely agreed, I use a vintage amplifier and speakers with my CRTs. I have been using mainly a pair of 90s Infinity Bookself speakers for the last few years, I bought them very cheap locally off FB but needed to refoam them ($20 in parts and a hour or two of work). They put out big sound, and are well shielded, I recently got some strong wall mounts for them and I am really happy with the results. This week I switched to a new to me amplifier, a Rotel RX-550, it’s from the early 70s, has incredible build quality and amazing power/sound. Picked it up for $32 from a local antique mall. Before that I used a NAD 2200 amp and NAD 1155 preamp, way over powered but absolutely awesome. I’ve found using a standalone bluetooth receiver and connecting that to the tuner input is a great way to get some “modern” use out of these amplifiers as well. Lots of great audio gear can be found second hand for really cheap, I’d recommend a lot of this stuff over cheap modern equipment, especially if you only need stereo sound and want well shielded speakers.

[@ToploadedGaming]

Like I said before, I had this stereo growing up. Got it from my dad, and uncle, they both had the pieces to put it together to make one full stereo. I’ve been trying to chase that particular sound ever since. It is leaps above any Sony or Bose you can get at Best Buy.

[@jcdp2786]

I have the original speakers, im about to get clean devices, Just like You did... Thanks for your video! I think its a great sound!

[@skins4thewin]

I fully agree that straight up Stereo or 4 Channel Stereo is perfect for Retro based setups.

[@PabloAvilaEstevez]

I've really neglected the audio aspect of my own retro gaming setup, I'm glad you've made this video to remind me of the steps I should take to improve that area of the experience. I've never been much of an "audiophile", mostly due to my economic status, but even when I was a young boy I took notice to the difference in audio quality of different audio setups, though I never took steps to try to get a better experience there til now.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Cool, you should be able to find something cheap in a thrift store. You may have to mix and match stuff, but that's okay. I've also found plenty of this stuff cheap at flea markets and other antique malls. Good luck.

[@PhilWaylon]

I love those old 80’s stacks of audio equipment. Tape deck equalizer CD player power unit the cabinet they all fit perfectly in plus a set of 12 inch Cerwin Vegas to shake the walls. 🔊

[@RetroTechUSA]

Oh yeah. It's been a while since I owned some massive speakers.

[@rush_in_the_village]

I bought the same one for myself the other day tuner ))

[@ToploadedGaming]

As far as the question at the end, yea, I think like anything, they are going to be only more sought after and harder to get. I’m constantly looking at garage sales and flea markets for old stereos. I recently got a older JVC, but alas, Hurricane Ida got to that one too. But I’m not sweating it, considering the amount of damage, I was able to save quite a lot. You cannot go wrong getting 70’s 80’s pioneer stereos. I tend to ignore any in the pro logic era. I just want the old L/R stereos. Great topic! Badass stereo you got there. I’ll eventually get one for myself, probably off ebay.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks again. I actually thought about you when I started to work on this episode. I remembered you had asked about this Amp/Tuner while I was using it or maybe even just had it sitting in my background. I hope you are doing okay. Did you have to end up moving?

[@ToploadedGaming]

@@RetroTechUSA Yep, I moved. I got a new place. I plan on returning to YT soon.

[@homeboyscottysfivehead2144]

I caught the vintage hifi bug a while ago. Currently rocking some Quad ESL 57 electrostats driven by some Quad II monoblocks. I replaced the panels on the electrostatics recently and it had a sticker that they were last serviced in 1978! Still sound sublime.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Very nice

[@RWL2012]

Quality 80s Pioneer audio equipment :) The sound system (not my main one by *any* means) in my retro gaming setup (consoles ---> OSSC ---> HDMI-VGA ---> PC-CRT btw) is an off-white plastic 2.1 speaker system comprising a pair of 1999 Roland MA-8 2-way magnetically shielded speakers and a 1997 Altec Lansing Multimedia ACS250 "sub"woofer (to go with the off-white PC-CRT), but the speakers are two of the passive one from two pairs, and the "sub"woofer has also been passive-modded. All three enclosures have also had internal acoustic treatment with bitumen deadening and polyester wadding. They're running off Tang Band KIT0059 / AMH159-20 and KIT0060 / AMS161-30 micro Class D amplifiers with built-in crossover filters, after a Behringer FBQ800 9-band equaliser.

[@jongeo]

I've been using my parents old Sony audio amplifier and CD changer. I need to open the CD changer and see if I can lower the resistance on the laser potentiometer because it's not reading discs anymore. It's a really cool pairing with a PVM and some of my other Sony stuff, and sounds great through some 5" dual driver speaker.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Cool, I used to have a CD player with this setup, but it was a 6 disc cartridge system & a complete pain in the ass. I eventually got rid of it. Is it just a pot adjustment to fix something like that?

[@jongeo]

@@RetroTechUSA I sure hope it is, maybe it's just dirty. This one has a rotating tray that opens at the front and holds 5 discs. It's also possible there's a belt driven component that's disintegrated, weird for a laser assembly but you never know.

[@mariokart8715]

I wished you kept the JVC D Series in the living room instead, but it’s going to a nice new home.

[@whoevertf]

Most of the old audio equipment you find just ends up being of a higher quality than say, mid-2000s up until today. Assuming you don't fork over a LOT more cash. All we find today is either cheapo chinese crap or very pricey, usually decent high-end. There used to be a whole spectrum and so many more brands to choose from and so much more consumer interest that they actually had to release quality products at all (ok, most) price points. If everybody wasn't so content with crappy phone/tablet/laptop speakers, there might still be more of a market for high quality audio devices. I don't see it making a big comeback though. lol

[@darrenwinn22]

Nice to see some vintage audio love on the show, Steve. My main setup is a BVM-20F1E and a TEAC CR-H255, which I picked up for £50 locally. Would at some point like to upgrade the audio to a Sony receiver to match the BVM's era and aesthetic, but honestly the little TEAC stereo system sounds incredible for CDs (which I still have) and it absolutely shines when I have my AES, Megadrive, SNES hooked up etc.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Very cool!

[@darrenwinn22]

@@RetroTechUSA Yeah, it’s compact and sounds great. Would love a Sony STR-V5 or similar, but they’re pricey.

[@riggel8804]

I've been into vintage hifi stuff for a few years now. Imo it's harder to collect hifi than retro gaming. The prices are higher and the equipment is more aggressively sought after. Right now I am working on hooking up a CROWN 8500 PA amp to my dad's Kenwood hifi speakers. I just need a pre-amp or graphics eq to make it happen. It's kinda goofy hooking up PA equipment to HIFI equipment. It's analogous to hooking up professional video monitors to old video games.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Vintage audio gear is a completely different world of enthusiasm.

[@mariokart8715]

I changed my mind about the stickers on your website because of the shipping cost; I’ll think about it overtime.

[@marvz71]

Searching for AC3 (for Laserdisc playback) input on a Sony receiver was a pain too. Finding old receivers specifically ones with niche features can be a pain these days. Caps truly are the biggest culprits to blame for failures.

[@Rob-eg8qc]

Great video 👍 I still listen to my Pioneer SA-930 which was part of a tower hifi with other separates I bought back in 1984. The tape teck is not working and turntable is shafted too. I did have the tuner and radio receiver but God knows where they are now.

[@trentward5587]

We have a Pioneer amp SA 930 that the volumn button slowly went out. Tape wasn't holding it in anymore! When we clean it and it still doesn't work, what next? I'm an original owner of a Sanusi 9090 that i bought when i was 18. I run it with 418R (hard rockers) Cerwin Vega speakers. Love music!!

[@1026katom]

Love the TV I have the the same 36" in my den.

[@MegaSegawa]

Very cool video, I really love the way that Pioneer made their stereo amps ! For my retro setup I'm currently using a Sony TA-VE700 hooked up to a Sony Trinitron kv-29f3, both picked up locally for 30€ each. That massive TV is a pain to move around but it works really well. The sound from the Sony TA-VE700 goes to 2 Pioneer quite large speakers. Overall a really nice setup but it requires a lot of free space.

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks, Cool stuff. Yes space is always an issue.

[@TheRetroChannel]

Looks pretty neat Steve. I wouldn't mind finding something of a similar vintage, maybe with a VFD display, or some analog VU meters, or both! That reminds me, how are you finding the little cordless blower? Is it effective? I'd much rather something like that than firing up the air compressor all the time

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks, Yes I am actually likely the little blower a lot. I plan to do a review on it and have been using it for about 2 weeks. I just wanted to get a lot of use and data before I make the review, but honestly I think it's worth getting one.

[@skins4thewin]

I see you're wearing a Nationals hat. You have good taste in Baseball teams! :)

[@alanm6o9]

For retro gaming I use edifier r1700bt speakers they are amazing! Funny enough though, I just set up my dads old audio gear from the 80s including a kenwood kr930 receiver and some big fat Ohm model c3 speakers. Loving it, merry Christmas

[@RetroTechUSA]

Thanks Alan! Your dad's old gear sounds awesome! Merry Christmas

[@rolandbaron5813]

Awesome

[@joshuah5542]

I never get rid of my old amps or receivers after I get something new (which is very rare). I still use my old pioneer elite sc-27 in my game room. For all my pure audio I have a separate amp and pre amp set up which I think sounds better, which I also think is just a personal flavor of sound preference I’ve never looked for the amp and preamp setup at Goodwill but I’m sure there are some that have them so maybe be on the lookout for that. They don’t have to be a matching set either.

[@commodoreredrum7882]

Hey Steve, what model esd blower are you using there? I tried poking around online and can't find the one you're using. Thanks for all the great vids!

[@PepperLion]

I was hoping to know this too! All the ESD blowers I see start at $148 USD.

[@samuelg7673]

good use for Mono PVMs.

[@domeduardoretrorgbgamer]

Nice!!!

[@bookshelffury]

oh heyyy, ive got that same radio except it has a digital tuner

[@grizzer85]

80's and some early 90's Trinitrons made in Germany had integrated amplifiers and 2pin speaker outputs (accepting 8ohm boxes up to 30 watt) I prefer to play on headphones and avoid too much of wire spaghetti but that's just me. For music , yeah vintage amplifiers all the way - much fatter, organic sound to them

[@Daerana]

Sound is far too forgotten about. A decent sound setup adds so much to the expey

[@mariokart8715]

You have an HDTV in your basement.